By Rob Abrey
It’s the final of the Puppy Oaks tonight at Romford and if anyone has read previous columns by myself will recognise a few names in the final that have been covered in recent weeks. Those who haven’t and are new to this weekly feature, fear not as there are plenty of interesting greyhounds running tonight in other races that as ever I have found out more about.
Graces Blueboy trained by Towcester’s Patrick Janssens tackles Romford tonight for the first time over 400 metres in a maiden race at 6.36pm. The Son of Tullymurry Act and Coolavanny Roxy has only had four races on these shores but brings with him winning form from Ireland. The April ’15 whelp had two races in England last year under the stewardship of Pat Buckley and is now permanently with Patrick Janssens where he is yet to win at Towcester in two attempts.
On Graces Blueboy, trainer Patrick Janssens said: “He has only had two races at Towcester and one of them was a trial stakes where he came second behind Seamus Cahills dog [Droopys Gold]. After that race I thought I would give him a go at Romford.
“He is a really fast dog but may not have enough early for Romford. If he gets any kind of a run, he will be there and there abouts on Friday. He will come on for every run and over in Ireland he ran most tracks so can handle different types of tracks.
“I’m not really expecting him to win as this race is more of a trial for him and will enter him again next week”.
Tonight at Romford sees the start of a 500 maiden stayers competition over 575 metres. Ticking Clock in the first heat at 7.29pm will be looking to shed her maiden stayers tag at the first time of asking. Trained by Spencer Mavrais of Central Park the February ’15 whelp is making her six bend debut, stepping up from running 480 metres at Central Park to 575 metres at the Essex venue. The daughter of Droopys Cain and Swinley Bottom has been running in top graded company at her home track and the step up to six bends could be where her future lies.
On Ticking Clock, trainer Spencer Mavrais said: “I entered her last week for a bitches race but she was made a reserve. This week I have entered her for a six bend race as she looks like she will stay.
“The six bend trip at Romford will suit her. She is a tight railer so being drawn in trap two is good for her. She has been running really well recently and runs on really strong at Central Park.”
Paddy Power have made her 4/1 and that should be considered. Although up against an odds on chance in the shape of Garryglass Champ, Ticking Clock should not be overlooked. She clearly needs a longer trip and looks likely to get to the rails where she can flourish.
Barricane Viking runs in heat two at 7.46pm for trainer Patrick Janssens and like Ticking Clock in the first heat is being tested over the 575 metres trip for the first time. The June ’15 whelp has been doing all his running over four bend trips, mainly 480 metres at Towcester. The son of Sidarian Rhythm and Dry Roasted had a trial over Romford last month clocking a decent calculated time of 24.50 over 400 metres for a first look around and for a dog looking destined to run longer trips.
Trainer Patrick Janssens on him said: “He is a frustrating dog. He has speed to burn and will be a staying dog but at the moment hasn’t got a much track craft. He has no concept of running with five other dogs. I’m hoping one day it will all click and come together.
“He is a bang railer so being drawn in trap one is good. He is definitely getting better and a few more runs will be good for him.”
Oo Wants It is making his Romford debut over four bends in the Friday night standard 500 first heat at 10.01pm. Trained by Norah McEllistrim of Hove, the July ’14 whelp has been running over two and four bend trips. At home track Hove, the son of Ace Hi Rumble and Droopys Raeh has been running over 285 metres both at top grade and at open race level winning two from eight. One of those wins came against Hove sprint specialist Whileyouwait which shows his early pace credentials. More recently he has been running at Poole where he reached the semi finals of the Golden Crest.
Trainer Norah McEllistrim on Oo Wants It said: “I like him. I’m hoping he will be one of my top open racers. He had three months off due to a liver complaint and is 100% over it. The only way is forward and I’m really hopeful with him.
“He runs a track well first time so Romford should not be a problem for him. He can be an erratic trapper but if he gets out on Friday, brilliant. He is not a natural railer so being seeded middle and being in trap three is good for him. If he takes to Romford I will be back most weeks with him.”
Paddy Power have priced Oo Wants It as a 5/1 shot and that feels too big and should be taken. He has lots of early and if getting it right at the traps will be very hard to catch.
For those who did not read this column last week would have missed Tea For Tess and Rising Razor taking the spoils at 9/2 and 3/1. Both run again tonight in their respective finals.
